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Rebecca Howard held on to their lead after a clear cross country in the CCI ** at Bromont, but two time penalties mean her margin for error is tiny; Phillip Dutton and Mighty NIce went double clear to breathe down her neck in second place just 0.1 penalties behind. I bumped into her out on course, and she was justifiably thrilled with Rocky (Roquefort) but still kicking herself for what might turn out to be an extremely expensive error of course in the dressage on thursday. It was easy to tell when any of the Canadians were on course, because David O’Connor, in his hallmark red anorak, would buzz around the course after them, on a mission on his ATV.
Selena O’Hanlon has a really nice up-and-coming horse in Foxwood High
Kathleen Chadderton from Australia, but based in Maryland
Maintaining their lead, the lovely Roquefort and Rebecca Howard
Veronica came through with a lovely clear for Karen O’Connor, and sits in fourth going into the show-jumping with 4.8 time penalties.
One of the Ocala Rednecks , Kyle Carter and Chances Are, who picked up 20 penalties and time.
Buck on Park Trader, one of his five rides today; he really rates this horse, says he’s an absolute wretch around the yard, but unstoppable to ride, and he was certainly impressive cross country.
Jonathon Holling on the lovely Downtown Harrison, another rider to waste no time getting away from, or between fences. He looked like he was cantering around on this horse, and yet only collected 3.2 time penalties to sit in 6th place overnight, and always looked in total control of the situation; nothing happened TO him, he rode the course the way he’d planned it working for him and his horse, it was a pleasure to watch.
Hannah Burnett rode an efficient round on Harbour Pilot, she’s quietly becoming a very consistent and reliable competitor, and a joy to watch. It’s already technically sunday, which means a full day of trot-ups, show-jumping and then the dreaded packing up and going home. Bromont has been such a lovely interlude from real life, I’m not sure if I’m ready to leave, although I’ve missed a nice cup of tea which has been hard to find, and at the risk of stirring up trouble, I’ve loved seeing all these fabulous Canadians riding and representing, but I wish Jessie Phonenix were here too. We had a request for an interview with Sue Ockendon, and I did try and track her down; as you can imagine she’s busier than Phillip Dutton, but I will try again! Thanks again but because we can’t ever repeat it often enough, to all the volunteers, the organisers, the course builders, vets, grooms, riders, mothers, dogs and horses – everyone who makes these Horse Trials happen, and thank you for reading. Someone tweeted me on friday that I have the best job in the world, and they may be right – go eventing!
